Do Not Test Yourself

12Therefore let anyone who thinks he stands [who feels sure that he has a steadfast mind and is standing firm], take heed lest he fall [into sin]. 13For no temptation (no trial regarded as enticing to sin), [no matter how it comes or where it leads] has overtaken you and laid hold on you that is not common to man [that is, no temptation or trial has come to you that is beyond human resistance and that is not adjusted and adapted and belonging to human experience, and such as man can bear]. But God is faithful [to His Word and to His compassionate nature], and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the temptation He will [always] also provide the way out (the means of escape to a landing place), that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patiently. 1 Corinthians 10:12-13 (Amplified Bible)

I pray that you all are well on this beautiful day in the Lord on today. As we continue to live this life for Christ daily, know this one thing…temptation(s) will follow us all the days of our lives. Temptation is the itch that never goes away completely. Temptations are the tests that will draw us nearer to Christ or further away. This cartoon is no joke neither are the others for this journal, saints of God if we are not careful, we can lead ourselves as well as other to an early grave. Do not test yourself.

One thing we can learn from this text is that some folks in the church think since they are justified by God, nothing can happen to them regardless of what they do. Many of us, at times, can take advantage of God’s grace and mercy…and have the audacity to abuse that grace and mercy all the days of our lives...did somebody say soap opera? Many times we may feel and have this attitude that since we are justified by God, nothing can happen to us regardless what we do. But make not mistake about it saints; God’s discipline should not be taken lightly. For if He cannot completely use us without having to share us with the hounds of hell, then He can, and will, find a replacement that is more and able to carry out His commands. Do not test yourself.



I know we are tempted daily to turn to the feelings of our flesh, but we must stand strong folks. The various temptations that we face in our lifetime are normal…they (the temptations) are suppose to happen. But we are not suppose to nor are we expected to give in to those temptations. We’re more than conquerors saints, and we are called according to God’s purpose to overcome those tests, trials and tribulations. Believers throughout the Bible had to resist temptations and we are no different. God is so good that He will not let one believer experience anything that He did not prepare us for. Let me say this plainly. God does not put us into situation that we are not able to handle or overcome…that’s just not what our Mighty God does. God gives every Christian the grace and power to endure anything and everything…the catch is that we have to know how to tap into that grace and power. Put the alcohol, drugs, unmarried sexual relations, physical/ mental abuse, etc. aside. We have to have endurance in order to finish this race…that where our prize lies (1Corinthians 9:24-27).

7Do not be deceived and deluded and misled; God will not allow Himself to be sneered at (scorned, disdained, or mocked by mere pretensions or professions, or by His precepts being set aside.) [He inevitably deludes himself who attempts to delude God.] For whatever a man sows, that and that only is what he will reap. 8For he who sows to his own flesh (lower nature, sensuality) will from the flesh reap decay and ruin and destruction, but he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Galatians 6:7-8 (Amplified Bible)

Today we are living in a time where folk in the church no longer are afraid of God’s wrath. People sleeping with each other outside marriage, sleeping over each other house and are not married. Men with titles in the church are sleeping around with the women of the church (some not in church)…some of them married. You do know that some of these men with titles are also involved in the DL (down low) circle…we are living in this rebellious time. People are slowly but surely ignoring the wise counsels of the elders in the church and are trusting in themselves and those who mislead them. The principle of sowing and reaping not longer outweighs their train of thought when it comes to enduring their test…folk are just acting out on what they “feel at that moment”. I was brought up that looking at a woman for 15-20 seconds is ok, or “you can look, but just don’t touch”. This is so foolish and unprosperous spiritually that it is unreal. Jesus said in Matthew 5:27-28, 27"You have heard that it was said, You shall not commit adultery. 28But I say to you that everyone who so much as looks at a woman with evil desire for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart." Christ is deep. If we even as much as look at the opposite sex with the desire to fulfill the good feel of this flesh, then we already set up a battle for our marriage in the future. Even if you had sex with your spouse before you married them…expect hard times to come your way. Do not test yourself.

It is a foolish attempt to “mock” God. For a Christian to think that if they sow to their flesh they can escape the harvest of destruction and judgment that comes to those that participates in sin. When we fornicate, lust, steal, lie, etc., we corrupt our flesh that gives a foul stench (spiritually) in our walk. If a person in the church is corrupt and refuse to heed the warnings of God’s Word then that individual is probably not and was never saved…you can’t lose your salvation if you are truly saved in Christ. Someone who is even in their mess has to feel the convictions of the Holy Ghost. They know that they are wrong, but refuse to come to the Father and the church for restoration. This could be due to shame, guilt and flat out rebellion (I can do bad by myself attitude).

In order for folks to escape the wrath of God, it is time to live totally for Him. Those in rebellion should quit leaning to their own understandings and lean toward the Word of God and His Spirit. Not only do marriages suffer from sexual impurity, but the children suffer as well, which leads to a weak church. When we disobey God in our perversions, it lingers on and the feeling has to get stronger in order to please the flesh. And when one gets tired or numb of the original high, they have to take a new/added risk in order fulfill the flesh. This can lead to what we see today…rape, molestation, bestiality, bisexuality and yes…homosexuality. We must know our weaknesses and not allow our flesh or the demonic realm to overcome us. We must know what Christians are supposed to stand for…and that is for Jesus Christ. We sung a song on yesterday at my church that said, “It’s not about us, it’s about Jesus”. Is that your testimony today?

9But if they have not self-control (restraint of their passions), they should marry. For it is better to marry than to be aflame [with passion and tortured continually with ungratified desire]. 1 Corinthians 7:9 (Amplified Bible)

Saints of God, if you or if you know of someone that is living in fornication or adultery, pray for them and allow God to use you (if it’s appropriate) to let them know that they need to wake up. If they do not care about themselves, then they don’t care about God. The only book that I know that will help those with traps and snare in the sexual world is the Bible. If folk can’t hold their sexual peace, then they need to get MARRIED in a hurry. And don’t divorce because its not working out…it was working out when you was acting married before the marriage. Women, do not reveal yourself in the church and outside the church with clothing that does not fully cover up the attractive parts of your body. If you’re wearing something to catch somebody’s eye…then you need to quit…shame on you. Allow God to bring you someone in His timing. Men, keep your foul thoughts to yourself. Quit undressing women with your eyes and thinking perversely to fulfill your imagination with those you lust after. This cancer started somewhere, and we must eliminate it by the means of the Holy Writ (The Bible). Oh boy…this is a two parter (please note, "parter" is not a legalized word).

Saints, do not try to change for anyone except the Lord and those who love Him. Stay encouraged, train your mind and body to allow the Spirit of God to lead you and continue to hold up the blood stained banner of Christ Jesus. Be blessed on this day and know that Jesus loves you and I love you all too. Until the Sequel of Jesus.

Separate Standards

17Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. 2 Corinthians 6:17 (King James Version)

I pray that you all are well in the will of our Almighty God on this day. I just have to share my thoughts on this passage of scripture and it is based on the lyfestyle that folk are taking today and calling it holy. How in Sam’s hill can you explain what holy hip hop is? I can remember when you couldn't get by with foolishness in the church. I am only 31 and during my pre-teens I can remember the women and men of the church not allowing the secular influence invade the church. Well we flip over to twenty-years later and what once could not get into the church, has taken it to an unholy new level. There is a separate standard from the standard of Christ.

The photo above is hip hop group Gospel Gangstas…folk’s are holy thugs for Christ. IMMA WESTSIDE CHRISTIAN!!! Let me come back to reality. These boys have been in the business of foolishness since 1995 or a little before.

Their images are far away from Christ and they are attempting to make some sort of comeback, but their standard is separate from God’s. I would like for you all to take a look at this promo concerning the gangstas DVD before I go into what God has placed on my heart for this text. Look at the names who they say are collaborating with them…its becoming more and more disappointing how the church is accepting any and everything.

As you can see Yolanda Adams and Kirk Franklin’s name is on the promo for this and I am not surprised. But my soul is vexed because of how these types of collaborations are damaging the body of Christ. How do you stop the church from making an impact on the families, on the communities and on the world? You get a hold of the children and young babes in Christ. The flesh is still weak at these stages and unless they see the strong faithful speak against it, they’ll continue to think it’s alright. How can those who are suppose to set the standard in this world have any dealing with those who seem to be confuse about the holy standard that we are suppose to set. Don’t get me wrong, I know Christians are humans and we do make mistakes…I am calming those who use this line for most of their reasoning for sin. But we must know that as we live in sin, we have to have that repentant heart…DAILY, and work against sinning again. Kirk Franklin, Yolanda Adams and other are hold their own standard and trying to make it God’s. You’re telling me that you’re going to be on a project that has thugs throwing gang signs, dressed as thugs and have their own agenda? You’re going to be apart of a project that has secular folk such E-40, Kurupt and others who are not saved? God forbid, but it is happening. I wouldn’t want to have any dealings with someone named Kurupt, the word corrupt means an individual willing to act dishonestly in return for money or personal gain or they are evil or morally depraved. There are separate standards here and the church must speak against it.

I have received emails that advise me to read Matthew 18. I respond by stating that Matthew 18:15-17 pertains to a personal offense and not a doctrinal problem. How is it that folk want private conferences and are afraid the publicly confront the false doctrine that folk are displaying. It is because the big name preacher and gospel artist who makes us feel good becomes our spiritual crack, the more we hear them; the more we become fans of them and defend them. A fan is a person who has a strong interest in or admiration for a particular sport, art form, or famous person. And they tend to defend something or someone to the fullest. This is another topic to discuss later.

When God says to come our from among them and be separate, He does not mean for us to be isolated from society. We have too many folk that is so holy and sanctified that they are no earthly good. We not isolate from the unsaved but we must discourage the compromise that is taking fold. It seems to me that Kirk, Yolanda and others comprise with the values and practices of the unsaved. Paul is encouraging us to maintain some integrity in the world just as Christ did. See what I love above Jesus is that He always avoided fame. When He performed miracles, He told people to tell no one. There is too much self promotion in the Christian community today, that God is getting the secondary praise after self has been exposed. How is your ministry going so far? Are we making sure that we get no credit for what God is doing through us, or are we doing things outside the will of the Father and giving Him false credit? Our standards must be aligned with God and separate from the world, instead it’s the other way around. When I see people not knowing where certain behaviors originated from and believe it’s from God, it just breaks my heart. At the same time I look at my own family and life to make sure that what I’m displaying to the public reflects my home. Our standards must not be separate from God’s.

Please join me in praying for the confused/lukewarm Christians and the unsaved (this includes those who think they’re saved, but are not). Things are unfolding as the Bible describes and business sure is picking up. Allow the Holy Spirit to direct every path that God’s sends us on and don’t allow the demonic spirits lure us into a false light, which is really darkness. Be blessed on this day and know that Jesus loves you and I love you all too. Until the Sequel of Jesus.

© 2007 What Lies Beneath Ministries Inc. All Rights Reserved

Divided Over Truth, Not United By Error!

21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils. 1 Corinthians 10:21 (King James Version)

I pray that all is well with you all on this beautiful day that the Lord God has created on today, let's rejoice and be glad in it . I thank God for keeping me alive so far these 22 days of 2007. I love Him with all my heart, which is the only way I can love my wife, kids, family, you...my Christian family and my enemies. I haven't been out in email land in quite some time, but I am still keeping my eye on Jesus...don't want to drown in stormy water.

Divided by truth and not united by error is phrase that is so powerful, folk cannot run with it. This phrase speaks as a statement from the Holy Bible that people should adhere to. We cannot allow this world (this life) to dictate and control our Christian walk. We are supposed to be the salt and light of the world, but instead many Christians are the meat being salted by the world. On January 28th, BET will host their Annual Gospel of Celebration where they'll have the cup of devils and think they are partaking in the cup of God. On this show they are going to allow Coko from former group SWV (ya'll remember that article), Fantasia (she has a new album out with her new single titled Hood Boy ), Tonex (the pastor cross-dresser) and Lil Mo (who is a provocative harlot and daughter of pastors' Jacob and Cynthia Loving of One Accord Apostolic Church in Glen Burnie, MD). They show will pay tribute to Tyler Perry for his "rag to riches" story and his creation of the plays/movies, especially his creation of Madea (the thought of a man acting as a woman makes me little...). Steve Harvey will be the host again, and the church body has just embrace him quickly since he started saying Jesus...he's never stated he was saved by confession. I also believe that one with celebrity status must be discipled upon converting to Christianity and not given the spotlight for a while...the flesh can get in the way, plus Jesus always AVOIDED fame... ALWAYS!!! Who knows what other secular artist/entertainer might be apart of this event, but I shall be watching and discerning on this Sunday.

Folk who state they love the Lord and they hear His voice need to check their ears and mental/spiritual status. When we (as Christians) partake of the Lord's supper we are united with one another for the just cause to save souls. Paul reminded the Corinthians of the fellowship and unity they had in their participation in the Lord's Supper. Participation in idol worship is a total violation of that unity with Christ. When we mix with unsaved folk, we risk loosing that sincere and spiritual relationship with the Father through Christ Jesus only. How can we allow our flesh to overcome so much that we do not appreciate the sacrifice that Chris made? Let's not only think about Him on Christmas and Easter. Our youth are continuing to gain more rights and authority before they earn it. The government is trying to pass a law that parents cannot spank (whipping/beat for the real folk) their kids or they'll face going to jail (somebody start a bondsman fund for me ). We as Christian must stay ready for what is about to unfold in our lifetime. Quit thinking about ourselves and think about others.

15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 1 John 2:15 (King James Version)

There too much compromising in the body of Christ. So many of our parents are worn out from battling (raising) their children to make the right decisions. Some of this has to do with their spiritual growth, their health (what we eat), and their support system (the spiritual family). I believe that Christians will not, I repeat WILL NOT go to hell. I believe there are some church folk who will go to hell, not all people in the church are Christians. We must divide ourselves over God truth (true unity) and not be united by errors of this world (true separation from God). Satan's plan to destroy us does not stop until we're dead (that's his agenda). So we must make sure that we're prayed up and equipped in God's Word (study the Word) in 2007. If we're weak, run to the elders of the church so that they can pray for you and help strengthen you through the power of the Holy Spirit

I would like for you all to get a better since of where I'm coming from (if you don't already know). This clip is from Southern University Interdenominational Mass Choir in Baton Rouge, LA back in 2005. You'll notice that this clip is all flesh fest, but particularly pay attention to the guy in the red suit at the bottom of the screen . Also, notice the musical cut that they go into towards the end of the clip. It's the music to Tupac's California Love , in which he made popular upon getting out of jail...this song was released in 1996. I'm sure some of you will laugh at this choir and brother for their ignorance and how foolish (knowingly or unknowingly) they look. This is a very sad scene to be honest, please pray for folk like these.

Be blessed on this day and know that Jesus loves you and I love you all too. Until the Sequel of Jesus.

© 2007 What Lies Beneath Ministries, Inc. All Rights Reserved